Children's Vision Month

A 1 4 WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2018 Growing up with sight loss can bring practical, emotional and social challenges. CNIB's children and youth programs can help with navigating these developmental stages. Through immersive workshops, activities, family fun days and camps, children and youth programs help young people with sight loss develop confidence, independence and a sense of self-identity. To make a donation or learn more, visit cnib.ca or call the CNIB Helpline at 1-800-563-2642. Sure, there are times when the "electronic babysitter" can come in handy — particularly when sleep- deprived moms and dads are trying to make a meal or deal with another element of the daily grind — but too much screen time can wreak havoc with not only a child's eyes but their ability to get enough rest and exercise. Just how much time is appropriate depends on the child's age, said Doctor of Optometry Nana Owusu, owner of Prairie Eye Care, which has four locations in Winnipeg. "It's something that parents ask me about literally every day. We see a lot of kids in our practice and the good majority of parents ask if the amount of time their kids spend on their screens is appropriate," he said. Not surprisingly, the younger the child, the less time the better. In fact — and this should come as a surprise to nobody — from the time they come home from the hospital until they're two years old, Owusu says they don't need to spend a single second on a screen. For one, they don't have the educational requirements that older children have plus these are developmental months spent crawling, walking and saying their first words, not playing Candy Crush or checking their Twitter feed. For ages three, four and five, Owusu recommends parents limit their children's recreational screen time to no more than an hour per day and ensure whatever apps or sites they're using are educational. School-age children will spend increasing amounts of time on screens, particularly computers, as they make their way through elementary, junior high and high school but Owusu believes they shouldn't spend more than two hours per day in non-school screen time. "Young adults and children will have to use their devices for many hours. What we can control is the recreational use," he said. Many kids can become so lost in their screens that they become oblivious to everything around them so Owusu recommends taking a break after 30 minutes. The downside of too much screen time can be burning, itching and tired eyes, difficulty focusing, restlessness and irritability. The symptoms can range greatly, up to severe headaches. The tricky part for parents can be children who don't complain for fear of having their tablet taken away. With social media becoming increasingly popular, plus academic demands, there's no fighting it — your children are going to be glued to screens of one size or another at all hours of the day. "This is the era we live in, it's not going away," Owusu said. Still, there are things you can do to make the best of the situation. For example, parents can adjust the height of their children's chairs when working (or playing) on a computer such that their feet are sitting flat on the floor and the top of the monitor is at their eye level. Parents can also reduce the brightness of screens. Even if children aren't experiencing any discomfort, Owusu still recommends they get their eyes checked annually. (Manitoba Health will cover comprehensive eye exams for young people up to 18 years of age.) There is also vision therapy, eye exercises and training that can help young eyes recuperate from screen- induced damage. The witching hour in many homes comes at bed time. Owusu says using a screen in an attempt to wind down often does the exact opposite. "We recommend avoiding screens for an hour before bedtime so kids can effectively recuperate for the next day," he said. ■ REGULATE SCREEN TIME FOR HEALTHY EYES BY GEOFF KIRBYSON It's a battle that virtually every parent wages with their children — keeping them from spending every waking moment on a smartphone, tablet or computer. Dr. Nana Owusu conducts an eye examination. Photo by Darcy Finley Your eyesight is too important to trust to just anyone. Seeing a Licensed Optician will ensure you receive high quality service from an accountable professional. Licensed Opticians have to meet standards of practice and training, commit to ongoing education, and are held to these standards by the Opticians of Manitoba (OOM). With social media becoming increasingly popular, plus academic demands, there's no fighting it — your children are going to be glued to screens of one size or another at all hours of the day.

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